The sale of the PawSox to a group headlined by Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino was made official Monday. Lucchino’s ownership group also includes several prominent Rhode Island businessmen.

“The Boston Red Sox have enjoyed a productive relationship with the Pawtucket Red Sox for more than four decades,” Lucchino said in a statement. “The franchise has played key roles in the Red Sox’ historic success, both as a player development affiliate and as a Rhode Island home for affordable family entertainment. We seek to enhance those roles, and to honor the substantial contributions that Ben Mondor and his loyal team have made to this community for generations.”

Lucchino also will keep his current role with the Boston Red Sox.

The new ownership group teamed up to buy the team from Madelaiene Mondor, the widow of longtime PawSox owner Ben Mondor. He bought the team in 1977 and owned the club until his death in 2010.

ESPN.com’s Keith Law recently concluded that Boston has Major League Baseball’s fifth-best minor league system, trailing only the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros and New York Mets. One reason is the Red Sox have excellent top-tier prospects and very intriguing lower-level farmhands.

By now, most Red Sox fans are familiar with Henry Owens, Blake Swihart, Eduardo Rodriguez and the rest of Boston’s high-profile prospects. The Sox have several other notable minor leaguers, though. And some of those lesser-known prospects could make noise in 2015.

So what determines who is “under the radar” as far as prospects go? Well, it’s subjective. But let’s eliminate any of the Red Sox’s top 10 prospects — as determined by SoxProspects.com — and anyone who already has been hyped to some extent. In other words, Deven Marrero (No. 11), Trey Ball (No.11) and Sean Coyle (No. 13) won’t be found on this list despite falling outside the top 10.

The following 10 Red Sox prospects are worth monitoring this season, even if you’re unfamiliar with them right now.

The Red Sox named the managers, coaches and trainers for their seven affiliates. None of the clubs are changing skippers, but there are a few notable changes among hitting coaches and pitching coaches.

Former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman, who served as Double-A Portland’s hitting coach last season, will be Triple-A Pawtucket’s hitting coach in 2015. Dave Joppie, who had been Pawtucket’s hitting coach, will shift to Portland.

Bob Kipper will serve as Pawtucket’s pitching coach in 2015. Kipper was Portland’s pitching coach in 2014, but he’ll move up with former PawSox pitching coach Rich Sauveur resigning at the end of last season.

The Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate rolled out all new logos and uniforms Friday, and they’re quite different from the ones they used to sport, which essentially mirrored their parent club. The PawSox added some powder blue to the mix of the usual red, navy and white and put an emphasis on the “paw” part of their name.

The biggest change probably was to mascot Paws, who got a more realistic — and ferocious — look.

Photo of the Night

In Greece, a goat invaded a soccer match and tried to play goalkeeper.

Baseball America on Wednesday released its list of the Red Sox’s top 10 prospects entering 2015. While Boston finished 2014 in last place in the American League East, the future sure looks bright given the organization’s surplus of young talent.

Several farmhands graduated from the Red Sox’s prospects list, including shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who entered 2014 as the No. 2 prospect in Major League Baseball. Baseball America’s 2015 Red Sox list features six new faces, including outfielder Rusney Castillo, who defected from Cuba before signing a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with Boston in August.

Castillo, pitcher Matt Barnes and third baseman/outfielder Garin Cecchini are the only three players on the 2015 list with major league experience.

Catcher Blake Swihart is the Red Sox’s top prospect, according to Baseball America. He’s also widely considered the top catching prospect across MLB, so the Red Sox are in a good place with both him and fellow backstop Christian Vazquez.

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who is Boston’s No. 4 prospect, was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the MLB non-waiver trade deadline in exchange for reliever Andrew Miller. Rodriguez showed tremendous promise down the stretch at Double-A Portland.

The Red Sox have one of baseball’s best farm systems. Baseball America’s 2015 list, which can be found below, showcases the group’s top tier.

The PawSox open the campaign April 9 on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and have their home opener April 16 against the Rochester Red Wings.

The PawSox finished the 2014 season with a 79-65 record, then defeated the Durham Bulls to win the International League title. They fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers 4-2 in the Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game.

There’s really no break in the action. While several players, including Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts, have graduated from prospect status over the last year, a new wave of Sox farmhands is making its way through the system. The group is headlined by catcher Blake Swihart, who climbed the ranks to the top of the totem pole.

Betts, Christian Vazquez, Garin Cecchini and Matt Barnes were among those who debuted with Boston in 2014. Which players could join the Red Sox for the first time in 2015?

The PawSox won their second Governors’ Cup in three seasons, highlighting the talent that continues to filter through the Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate. Several players even jumped to the majors and could factor into Boston’s 2015 plans.

Triple-A is interesting because September call-ups often create a depleted roster. The PawSox pushed through losing a few players, though, and more success could be on the horizon with a talented crew making its way through Double-A Portland.

Betts’ time at Pawtucket was nothing more than a pit stop in the 21-year-old’s road to the majors. Judging by Betts’ early major league results, it’s possible he might never return. The kid looks like the real deal.

Betts left his mark on the PawSox despite playing in just 45 Triple-A games. Other farmhands certainly aspire to travel a similar path.

Ranaudo, like Betts, made his way to the majors. Like Betts, his call-up also came after considerable success at Triple-A.

Ranaudo probably will return to Pawtucket to begin the 2015 season, as his big league stint featured ups and downs. But 2014 marked Ranaudo’s second consecutive strong campaign, as the 25-year-old was named the International League’s Most Valuable Pitcher.

Three Highs

— Travis Shaw put himself on the map.

Shaw, who started the season with Double-A Portland, jumped to Triple-A following a red-hot start. He showed pop, particularly at the end of the year. Shaw finished with 10 homers in 81 games, which is encouraging for an organization thin on first base depth.

— Matt Barnes reasserted himself.

Barnes had become an afterthought in the Red Sox’s crowded pool of pitching prospects following a dismal start to the season. The former first-round pick finished strong, though, going 3-1 with a 2.16 ERA over his final six starts.

Barnes showed promise pitching out of Boston’s bullpen in September, featuring a fastball sitting in the mid 90s and good offspeed stuff.

— Tommy Layne looks like a major league-caliber pitcher.

Layne already had reached the majors with the San Diego Padres. The left-hander eventually made his way to Boston after showing an ability to dominate lefties at Triple-A. He enjoyed big league success with the Red Sox, too.

Three Lows

— Jackie Bradley Jr. struggled upon returning to Pawtucket in August.

Bradley was shipped to Triple-A to improve offensively. The 24-year-old responded by hitting .212 (14-for-66) with 18 strikeouts in 14 games.

— Ryan Lavarnway’s power hasn’t returned.

Lavarnway hit 32 homers in 116 games between Portland and Pawtucket in 2011. The 27-year-old has hit just 15 long balls in 200 minor league games over the last three seasons.

— Drake Britton was underwhelming.

Britton pitched well in 2013 and made a case for a roster spot in spring training. The 25-year-old lefty went through a difficult first season as a full-time reliever, finishing with a 5.86 ERA in 45 Triple-A appearances spanning 58 1/3 innings.

2015 Outlook

The Red Sox’s top two prospects — left-hander Henry Owens and catcher Blake Swihart — both earned promotions to Triple-A late this season and should begin 2015 with Pawtucket. Brian Johnson and Eduardo Rodriguez also might join the PawSox’s rotation, though it’s obviously contingent on what Boston’s big league pitching staff looks like.

Some would argue Portland boasted the organization’s most intriguing roster this season. It’s time for those guys to take the next step, meaning Pawtucket will be an interesting — and perhaps successful — squad again in 2015.

Mookie Betts, who has since been called up to Boston, was named the organization’s Minor League Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Brian Johnson earned Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors.

Betts started the season in Double-A Portland as a second baseman. The 21-year-old rapidly ascended through the system — learning the outfield along the way — to the point where the Red Sox called him up for the first time June 28. Betts led all qualifying Red Sox minor leaguers with a .348 average. He compiled 11 homers, 65 RBIs, 33 stolen bases and 30 doubles in 99 games between Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.

Johnson enjoyed a breakout campaign on the bump. The 23-year-old left-hander went 13-3 with a 2.13 ERA in 25 starts between Portland and High-A Salem. His ERA was the best among qualifying Red Sox farmhands, and he ranked second and third in strikeouts (132) and wins (13), respectively.

Shortstop Deven Marrero and outfielder Manuel Margot also received awards. Marrero was named the Red Sox’s Minor League Defensive Player of the Year. Margot was chosen as Boston’s Minor League Baserunner of the Year.

Marrero, was has been known for his defensive prowess since being drafted in the first round (24th overall) in 2012, had a .976 fielding percentage (12 errors in 490 chances) in 116 games — all at shortstop — between Portland and Pawtucket. The 24-year-old also showed flashes of offensive improvement, hitting .258 with six homers, 59 RBIs and 16 stolen bases between the two levels.

Margot led all Red Sox minor leaguers with 42 stolen bases between Salem and Single-A Greenville. The 19-year-old spent most of his season with Salem, where he ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League with 39 steals in 99 games. Margot hit .293 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs in 115 minor league games overall.

Catcher Dan Butler received the 2014 Lou Gorman Award. The award, created in 2011, is given annually to a Red Sox minor leaguer who has demonstrated dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working his way to the major league team. Butler, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Arizona, spent six seasons in the Boston farm system before earning his first major league call-up this season at age 27.

The Red Sox also named outfielder Raiwinson Lameda the Latin Program Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Daniel Gonzalez the Latin Program Pitcher of the Year.

The Red Sox’s rotation underwent wholesale changes this season. Four-fifths of Boston’s Opening Day rotation was traded before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, leaving Clay Buchholz as the only remaining veteran. The hope was that the organization’s upper-level pitching prospects would step up down the stretch, but that’s hardly been the case thus far.

The current crop of young major league hurlers — Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Brandon Workman, Anthony Ranaudo and Matt Barnes — could face increased competition in 2015, as several other pitching prospects are making waves in the Red Sox system. The up-and-coming group obviously is headlined by Henry Owens, but Eduardo Rodriguez and Brian Johnson are two other left-handers to watch.

NESN.com Red Sox beat writer Ricky Doyle caught up with Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com to discuss Johnson, Rodriguez and others. The pair also looked at Blake Swihart’s development and how the Red Sox eventually will integrate him into their big league plans.

Boles, who recently guided Pawtucket to a Governors’ Cup victory, will join Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell’s coaching staff before Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, according to the PawSox’s official website. It’s unclear how much time Boles will spend with the major league club, but the 39-year-old is looking forward to the opportunity.

“Spring training is one thing, but to watch the players during major league games that count and how the coaches work together. … I’m just going to try and soak everything in,” Boles said Wednesday following the PawSox’s championship celebration at McCoy Stadium, according to Brendan McGair.

“Hopefully I can have some conversations as far as what we can do better, (and) as far as what we are missing out on,” Boles added. “You’re always searching to develop that complete ballplayer. Obviously it’s going to be an unfinished product when they get to the big leagues, but to just to shorten that learning curve, we’re going to continue to search for that information.”

Boles hasn’t been on a major league coaching staff since serving as a bullpen catcher with the Florida Marlins over a decade ago. He’ll be working with some familiar faces, though, as Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo and first base coach Arnie Beyeler both worked with Boles in Pawtucket before assuming their current roles. Additionally, 26 players on the Red Sox’s active roster spent time in Triple-A this season.

“Watching the guys who were in Pawtucket on the big stage, I can’t wait for that,” Boles said. “That’s definitely everything.”

September call-ups aren’t only for players. Boles’ opportunity certainly is well-deserved.

Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Pawtucket Red Sox, Ricky Doyle, Top Stories]]>http://nesn.com/2014/09/pawsox-manager-kevin-boles-to-spend-time-with-red-soxs-coaching-staff/feed/00PawSoxnesnrdoylePawSoxPawSox Fall To Omaha Storm Chasers 4-2 In Triple-A National Championshiphttp://nesn.com/2014/09/pawsox-fall-to-storm-chasers-4-2-in-triple-a-national-championship/
http://nesn.com/2014/09/pawsox-fall-to-storm-chasers-4-2-in-triple-a-national-championship/#commentsWed, 17 Sep 2014 04:22:07 +0000http://nesn.com/?p=387871]]>Rusney Castillo smacked his first professional home run, but it wasn’t enough to lead the Pawtucket Red Sox to a win.

The PawSox fell to the Omaha Storm Chasers 4-2 in the Triple-A National Championship in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday night, marking the second time in three years that they’ve won the International League Governors’ Cup and failed to win it all.

Still, the PawSox put on a good show. Castillo opened the scoring with his solo shot in the bottom of the first inning and went 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts from there. Omaha answered with a solo home run of its own in the next half-inning, as Kansas City Royals prospect Cheslor Cuthbert went yard off Edwin Escobar.

Cuthbert hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to put the Storm Chasers ahead before an actual storm came through, causing a one-hour, 46-minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth.

PawSox first baseman Travis Shaw — who was 3-for-4 on the night — tied it up with a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth, but catcher Brett Hayes quickly rained on Pawtucket’s parade with a two-run home run off of reliever Miguel Celestino.

The Cuban outfielder — who inked a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 23 — sent the first pitch he saw during the first inning of the Triple-A National Championship in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday over the fence.

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Castillo was batting .297 with four RBIs and six runs in 10 minor league games before the Pawtucket Red Sox’s contest against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Boston manager John Farrell said Castillo was “likely” to join the big league club Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The PawSox won their second International League championship in three years Saturday by defeating the Durham Bulls 4-1 in Game 5 of the teams’ Governors’ Cup finals series. The title further shows the strength of the Boston Red Sox’s farm system despite a difficult season for the major league club.

Keith Couch, who recently was promoted to Triple-A during Castillo’s brief stint with Double-A Portland, was tremendous. He tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out four.

Ryan Lavarnway, Bryce Brentz and Garin Cecchini each collected two hits. Lavarnway blasted a solo homer in the fifth inning and was named the 2014 Governors’ Cup Finals MVP. Lavarnway was 10-for-22 in the five-game series.

The PawSox will play the Pacific Coast League champions in the Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C.

Brentz saved the Pawtucket Red Sox’s season by delivering an exceptional throw to home plate in the 10th inning of the PawSox’s 4-2, 13-inning win over the Durham Bulls in Game 4 of the teams’ Governors’ Cup finals series. The immaculate toss cut down the potential winning run and paved the way for Ivan De Jesus’ go-ahead, two-run homer in the top of the 13th.

Catcher Blake Swihart, considered one of the organization’s top prospects, also deserves credit for his role in Friday’s season-saving play. Swihart fielded Brentz’s throw on one hop and quickly applied the tag.

The PawSox’s victory forced a winner-take-all Game 5, which will take place in Durham on Saturday night.
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Castillo ripped a game-tying single in the ninth inning Friday as the Pawtucket Red Sox defeated the Durham Bulls 4-2 to force a decisive Game 5 in the teams’ Governors’ Cup finals series. Ivan De Jesus lifted the PawSox to victory with a two-run homer in the top of the 13th inning.

Castillo, who recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract, is expected to join the Boston Red Sox after Triple-A Pawtucket’s championship series against Durham. But clearly, the Cuban outfielder wants another championship — he already helped the Gulf Coast League Red Sox win a title — before joining the major league club.

All eyes have been on Castillo, as the 27-year-old is expected to be part of the Red Sox’s starting outfield in 2015. He went 1-for-6 with a single, three strikeouts and a walk in Pawtucket’s dramatic Game 4 win at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The PawSox trailed 2-1 in the ninth inning when Alex Hassan walked and Garin Cecchini singled. Deven Marrero beat out a potential game-ending double play after a failed sacrifice bunt, paving the way for Castillo’s season-saving knock. Castillo was down to his final strike before singling into center field.

De Jesus’ 13th-inning homer followed a one-out single by Marrero. The clutch blast was made possible by Bryce Brentz’s perfect throw to the plate to gun down the potential winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Ryan Lavarnway went 4-for-6 and reached base five times in Pawtucket’s win. Eduardo Rodriguez pitched seven solid innings, though it was Jose Valdez who earned the victory following two scoreless frames.

The PawSox and Bulls will have a winner-take-all showdown Saturday night in Durham. Keith Couch will toe the rubber for Pawtucket.

Castillo collected an infield single, struck out twice, lined out to right field and was caught stealing Tuesday as the PawSox defeated the Durham Bulls 3-2 in Game 1 of the Governors’ Cup finals.

Castillo, who recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, made stops in the Gulf Coast League and Double-A Portland before joining Pawtucket. The 27-year-old outfielder is expected to join the major league club at some point before the end of the season.

Castillo still is shaking off the rust in his first game action since defecting from Cuba. He’s now 7-for-23 with two doubles, two walks, four strikeouts and three RBIs in seven games across three levels. Castillo played nine innings in center field for the first time Tuesday.

Castillo struck out in each of his first two at-bats against the Bulls — once looking at a 96 mph fastball and once swinging at a 96 mph heater — before collecting an infield single off a deflection in his third at-bat. Castillo, who is known for his speed, wasn’t on the bases long, though, as he was thrown out trying to swipe second with Ivan De Jesus batting.

The PawSox will continue their best-of-five championship series against the Bulls on Wednesday. The series will end Saturday at the latest, with an International League championship game set for early next week.

Castillo is likely to remain with Pawtucket through the end of the club’s season before joining Boston on its upcoming road trip.

The Pawtucket Red Sox have their eyes on the International League Governors’ Cup, but some of their biggest weapons are playing with the big-league club in Boston.

However, they added some pop to their lineup Tuesday.

Outfielder Rusney Castillo joined the PawSox for their first game of the Governors’ Cup final against the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate Durham Bulls. He’s slated to remain with the team for the duration of the best-of-five series and hopefully will bring power to a lineup that’s missing catchers Christian Vazquez and Dan Butler, shortstop Carlos Rivero and outfielders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

The PawSox went up 2-0 in their International League playoff series against the Syracuse Chiefs with an 8-2 win at McCoy Stadium. The Sea Dogs evened their Eastern League playoffs against the Binghamton Mets at one game apiece with a 7-0 victory at NYSEG Stadium.

Garin Cecchini, who lifted Pawtucket to a walk-off win in Wednesday’s series opener, went 4-for-4 with two RBIs while guiding the PawSox to within one game of a three-game sweep. Matt Barnes allowed only three hits over seven shutout innings.

The Sea Dogs, who lost in walk-off fashion Wednesday, rebounded behind a four-homer attack. Stefan Welch hit two home runs. Sean Coyle and Keury De La Cruz each added one. Justin Haley tossed six shutout innings and struck out eight to earn the win.

The PawSox and Chiefs will continue their series Friday at Syracuse’s NBT Bank Stadium. Henry Owens is scheduled to pitch for Pawtucket.

The Sea Dogs and Mets will continue their series Friday at Portland’s Hadlock Field. Eduardo Rodriguez, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Andrew Miller before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, is scheduled to pitch for Portland. Outfielder Rusney Castillo also is expected to suit up for the ‘Dogs.

Garin Cecchini lifted the PawSox to a 2-1 win Wednesday with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning. Pawtucket leads the series 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled to be played Thursday night.

Edwin Escobar, who was acquired from the Giants in the deal that sent Jake Peavy to San Francisco before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, came within one out of a complete-game shutout. Syracuse’s Brandon Laird tied the game 1-1 and sent the game to extra innings with a clutch ninth-inning home run.

The PawSox loaded the bases against Manny Delcarmen and Ryan Mattheus with no outs in the 10th. The Chiefs pulled the infield in, and Cecchini shot a base hit into center field.

Delcarmen, of course, played in parts of five seasons with the Red Sox after being drafted by the organization in the second round in 2000. The 32-year-old, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2010, is a graduate of West Roxbury High School.

Heath Hembree, also acquired in the Peavy trade, earned the win for Pawtucket. He retired all four batters he faced after Escobar surrendered the ninth-inning homer to Laird.